Why Kaliningrad is a flashpoint in Russia-Nato tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Thursday that Russia has no plans to attack European countries but would respond to aggression with all weapons, following Moscow's warning to Nato that it could use nuclear weapons to defend the Kaliningrad exclave if the alliance tried to cut it off from Russia. Kaliningrad is a heavily militarised Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, located between Nato members Poland and Lithuania, covering about 15,000 square kilometres with a population of around 1 million. It hosts Russia's Baltic Fleet and missile systems capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads, making it strategically vital but geographically isolated. Tensions have risen since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with Nato increasing military presence and exercises in the Baltic region. Russia sent Nato a diplomatic warning on September 30, while the alliance urged Moscow to halt "irresponsible nuclear rhetoric" and said its activities are defensive. Security analysts say any miscalculation could lead to direct confrontation.